Coaster vehicle and trackway

ABSTRACT

An amusement device featuring a continuous trackway having a first end of lower elevation than a second end, a lift mechanism interposed between and connected to the ends of the trackway and including an elongated helical screw powered by a motor and extending upwardly from the first end of the trackway to the second end thereof and a coaster vehicle arranged to travel along the trackway and up the lift mechanism as the rotating screw continuously contacts one or more hooks depending from the vehicle urging the vehicle upwardly along the lift mechanism.

United States Patent [1 1 Saito [451 May 22,1973

[54] COASTER VEHICLE AND TRACKWAY [75] Inventor: Makoto Saito, Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Tomy Company, Inc., Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: June 17, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 154,067

[52] US. Cl. ..104/167, 238/10 F [51] Int. Cl. ..B6lb 13/00, A63h 18/04 [58] Field of Search ..104/167, 60; 238/10 E, 10 F [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,779,148 10/1930 Savnier ..l04/l67 3,583,322 6/1971 Vykukal ..238/l 3,411,783 11/1968 Montagna ..238/l0 F 3,316,401 4/1967 Cramer ..238/10 F 3,605,631 9/1971 See et a1. ..l04/167 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 27,682 12/1911 Great Britain ..104/167 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch AttorneyEdward S. lrons et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT An amusement device featuring a continuous trackway having a first end of lower elevation than a second end, a lift mechanism interposed between and connected to the ends of the trackway and including an elongated helical screw powered by a motor and extending upwardly from the first end of the trackway to the second end thereof and a coaster vehicle arranged to travel along the trackway and up the lift mechanism as the rotating screw continuously contacts one or more hooks depending from the vehicle urging the vehicle upwardly along the lift mechanism.

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0 1 I El COASTER VEHICLE AND TRACKWAY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an amusement device simulating skiing wherein one or more coaster vehicles run along a multi-configured trackway. Each skier coaster vehicle is automatically raised to the highest position of the trackway by a lift mechanism which simulates a ski lift. To the delight of the child the skier coaster vehicle thereafter negotiates a series of curves in the trackway. The design of the vehicle, the trackway curves and inertia forces cooperate throughout the downward movement of the skier coaster vehicle to enable the skier to perform loop-to-loop somersaults, jumps and zig-zag patterns. Finally, the skier coaster vehicle enters the lift mechanism and is automatically lifted to the top of the slope to begin another run. A switching station is employed enabling selected skier coaster vehicles to bypass the continuous trackway until it is desired to resume skiing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION While coaster vehicles for use on continuous trackways are old in the art, the present invention increases the variety of stunts capable of being performed by the coaster vehicle along the continuous trackway while providing an automatic system for raising the skier coaster vehicle from its lowest point on the trackway to its highest point so as to begin a new run.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the continuous trackway of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the lift mechanism with one side of its casing removed so as to illustrate the mechanism for rotating the continuous elongated helical screw which advances and lifts the coaster vehicle upwardly to the highest position of the trackway;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the lift mechanism illustrating the battery housing and switch for energizing the motor which rotates the screw;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 2 illustrating the structural relationship of the motor and helical screw to the housing of the lift mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the lift mechanism illustrating how the switch completes the circuit for energizing the motor which rotates the helical screw;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the coaster vehicle simulating a skier;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the coaster vehicle;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the coaster vehicle moving upwardly along the lift mechanism shown in cross section illustrating the structural relationship and interaction between the rotating screw and the front, depending hook of the coaster vehicle;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the coaster vehicle illustrating the front and rear hooks which contact the rotating screw; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the coaster vehicle moving upwardly along the lift mechanism shown in longitudinal section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The trackway designed generally by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 is designed to simulate a ski slope and includes individual sections of varying configuration including the main downward slope section 12, the loop-to-loop section 14, the turnaround section 16, the smaller slope 18, the zig-zag sections 20 and 22, the switching section 24 and the lift mechanism 26 described in detail hereinafter.

The sections of the trackway 10 are joined together by vertical supports 28 of varying height while clip 30 joins the adjacent parts of the loop-to-loop section 14. Forming a part of each section are continuous rails 32 defining the path of the coaster vehicle along the trackway. Within the switching section 24 are located additional rails 32. As will be apparent, as the switching rail 34 is operated in conventional manner by the lever 36 the coaster vehicle is permitted to travel along either rails 32 or 32', as desired. Selection of rails 32' permits the coaster vehicle to be automatically stopped within the switching section 24 by protruding button 38 which when lowered by the action of lever 40 permits the coaster vehicle to enter the lift mechanism 26.

The lift mechanism 26, as seen in FIGS. 25, consists of a casing comprising segments 42 and 42 suitably fastened together, for example, by bolts passing through openings 44. A frame 46 is suitably fastened within casing segment 42. Within frame 46 is mounted a motor 48 having a drive shaft terminating in a pinion wheel 50.

The rotating helical screw 52, as seen in FIG. 2, is secured at one end to the casing by support 54. The other end of screw 52 passes through and is mounted for rotation with respect to frame 46 and terminates in gear wheel 56 which meshes with pinion wheel 50.

Casing segment 42 is further provided with a housing 58 equipped with electrical contact members 60 and 62 for enclosing batteries 64, as seen in FIG. 3. Suitable wiring 66 connects contact members 60 and 62 with motor 48 energizing same when the switch 68, as seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, is turned to its on position wherein knob 70 forces leaf spring contact 72 into engagement with the housing of motor 48 closing the electrical circuit. Thus, as switch 68 is turned to the on position motor 48 is energized rotating screw 52.

The coaster vehicle is generally designated by reference numeral 74, and, as seen in FIGS. 6-10, includes a carriage 76 below which are mounted two trucks or wheels 78 and above which is mounted the figure of a skier 80. Although not shown in the drawings, each truck 78 has an axle the ends of which are pointed. The pointed ends are confined within holes of slightly larger diameter ensuring smooth running and necessary speed. As seen in FIG. 9, the figure 80 is mounted to carriage 76 by screw 82 which also secures a weight 84, necessary to achieve the required balance and momentum. Formed as a part of carriage 76 and depending therefrom are forward and rearward hooks 86 and 88, respectfully, as seen in FIG. 9. The purpose of hooks 86 and 88 will now be explained.

As will now be apparent, and as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, as the skier coaster vehicle 74 enters the lift mechanism 26 the rotating screw 52 contacts the forward hook 86 propelling the coaster vehicle 74 upwardly along the lift mechanism 26. Thereafter, the rotating screw 52 engages the rear hook 88 continuing to propel the coaster vehicle upwardly, as seen in FIG. 10. The coaster vehicle 74 is confined to the lift mechanism 26 by the action of lugs 90 against the inwardly facing flanges 92, as seen in FIG. 8. As the coaster vehicle 74 reaches the top of the lift mechanism the rotating screw 52 continues to push the rearward hook 88 forcing the coaster vehicle 74 forward until it begins its downward run along the main slope section 12 passing directly into and thru the loop-to-loop section 14 under the momentum of the coaster vehicle. After successfully negotiating the loop-to-loop section 14 the vehicle 74 turns in section 16, safely maneuvers the junior slope l8 and zig-zags its way through sections 20 and 22. Thereafter, the vehicle 74 enters the switching station 24 wherein, depending upon the position of rail 34, it either continues along rails 32 for immediate reentry into the lift mechanism 26 or rails 32' wherein protruding button 38 stops the vehicle 74 until the lever 40 is depressed again permitting the coaster vehicle 74 to reenter the lift mechanism 26.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising:

a trackway provided with a surface and having a first end of lower elevation than a second end thereof; lift mechanism interposed between and connected to. said ends of said trackway, said lift mechanism being provided with a pair of inwardly facing flanges defining therebetween a continuous opening extending between said ends of said trackway, a rigid elongated helical screw extending the length of said lift mechanism and located below said opening therein, means rotating said screw; and a vehicle provided with wheels which engage said surface of said trackway as said vehicle moves from said second end to said first end thereof, said vehicle being provided with at least one downwardly extending flange terminating above the bottoms of said wheels, a portion of said flange extending within said screw such that the rotation of said screw moves said vehicle upwardly along said lift mechanism, said vehicle further being provided with outwardly extending lugs positioned adjacent said inwardly extending flanges of said lift mechanism stabilizing said vehicle during movement along said lift mechanism.

2. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said inwardly facing flanges are provided along the top of said lift mechanism.

3. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein the bottoms of said wheels of said vehicle rest upon said screw when said vehicle is moving upwardly along said lift mechanism.

4. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said flanges of said lift mechanism are higher in elevation than said surfaces of said ends of said trackway at the intersections of said lift mechanism and said ends of said trackway.

5. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said lugs of said vehicle are positioned below said inwardly extending flanges of said lift mechanism.

6. An amusement device as in claim 1, including a second flange extending downwardly from said vehicle, a portion of said second flange extending within said screw.

7. An amusement device as in claim 1 wherein said means rotating said screw comprises a motor mounted within said lift mechanism having a drive shaft terminating in a pinion wheel, said screw terminating at one end in a gear wheel meshing with said pinion wheel.

8. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said trackway includes means defining a loop-to-loop section wherein said vehicle moves vertically through 360.

9. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said trackway includes a switching section comprising a second surface, means within said second surface for stopping said vehicle and means permitting said vehicle to travel along either of said surfaces, as desired. 

1. An amusement device comprising: a trackway provided with a surface and having a first end of lower elevation than a second end thereof; a lift mechanism interposed between and connected to said ends of said trackway, said lift mechanism being provided with a pair of inwardly facing flanges defining therebetween a continuous opening extending between said ends of said trackway, a rigid elongated helical screw extending the length of said lift mechanism and located below said opening therein, means rotating said screw; and a vehicle provided with wheels which engage said surface of said trackway as said vehicle moves from said second end to said first end thereof, said vehicle being provided with at least one downwardly extending flange terminating above the bottoms of said wheels, a portion of said flange extending within said screw such that the rotation of said screw moves said vehicle upwardly along said lift mechanism, said vehicle further being provided with outwardly extending lugs positioned adjacent said inwardly extending flanges of said lift mechanism stabilizing said vehicle during movement along said lift mechanism.
 2. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said inwardly facing flanges are provided along the top of said lift mechanism.
 3. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein the bottoms of said wheels of said vehicle rest upon said screw when said vehicle is moving upwardly along said lift mechanism.
 4. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said flanges of said lift mechanism are higher in elevation than said surfaces of said ends of said trackway at the intersections of said lift mechanism and said ends of said trackway.
 5. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said lugs of said vehicle are positioned below said inwardly extending flanges of said lift mechanism.
 6. An amusement device as in claim 1, including a second flange extending downwardly from said vehicle, a portion of said second flange extending within said screw.
 7. An amusement device as in claim 1 wherein said means rotating said screw comprises a motor mounted within said lift mechanism having a drive shaft terminating in a pinion wheel, said screw terminating at one end in a gear wheel meshing with said pinion wheel.
 8. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said trackway includes means defining a loop-to-loop section wherein said vehicle moves vertically through 360*.
 9. An amusement device as in claim 1, wherein said trackway includes a switching section comprising a second surface, means within said second surface for stopping said vehicle and means permitting said vehicle to travel along either of said surfaces, as desired. 